How to Take Advantage of Home-Field Advantage Home-Field advantage, does it exist or is it just a myth? Many sports teams compete hard all year long to gain home advantage in the playoffs… Gymnasts feel they have an edge over the competition when competing in the facility where they train… Basketball players feel that they feed off their … [Read more...] about Home-Field Advantage: A Blessing or Curse?
Sports Psychology Articles
Expectations vs. Goals for Athletes
What is a Goal? Going into a competitive season with realistic goals adds motivation, direction and purpose for an athlete. Going into a competitive season with excessively high expectations adds pressure, anxiety and distraction for an athlete. Throw adversity into the equation, things change drastically. First, let’s examine exactly … [Read more...] about Expectations vs. Goals for Athletes
Pregame Nerves Facts and Fiction
How to Use Pregame "Nerves" to your Advantage Many athletes have misconceptions about the effects of pregame “nerves” before competition sport. *Misconception 1: Elite athletes are NEVER nervous. *Misconception 2: It's the total lack of nerves that cause elite athletes to be successful. *Misconception 3: Elite athletes are born with … [Read more...] about Pregame Nerves Facts and Fiction
How to Avoid Burnout and Dropout in Sports
Letting Go of Expectations Have you ever been so frustrated with a lack of improvement and not reaching your expectations that training and practicing just doesn’t seem worth the time and effort? At times you feel like walking away from competing just because you feel so burned out or lack enthusiasm? Sports can be demanding, but some … [Read more...] about How to Avoid Burnout and Dropout in Sports
Athletes Who React Poorly to Criticism
How to Have Stable Confidence Do you buy into the negativity from other people? Do you lose confidence when others critique your game? Just this week, I received a message from a soccer player who said: "I'm often challenged mentally during practice if a teammate tells me how I can't do a certain thing, such as properly marking my … [Read more...] about Athletes Who React Poorly to Criticism